WhistlePig Double Malt rye whiskey
Sourced from the storied Hiram Walker distillery in Windsor, Canada, and aged 18 years, this dramatic whiskey is some of the oldest rye around, with surprising floral and berry fruit components adjoining the more familiar spice of the category. The unexpected flourishes are courtesy of an nonconventional mash bill, featuring 15% malted rye along with 6% malted barley. The expression is yet another indicator of how far craft rye has moved into the luxury space and why WhistlePig leads the pack. $400
Instant Classics
These labels might be new to you, but they figure to be staples of the backbar in no time at all.
Bruichladdich Octomore 10.3 whisky
This line of single malts from Islay positions itself as the world’s peatiest. And although the latest release boasts 114 PPM (phenol parts per million)—your average Laphroaig 10, by comparison, holds 45 PPM—its character is shockingly balanced. Yes, there is ample evidence of iodine and rubber in the nose. But subduing those strong notes are sweet and salty undertones of honey, pear, and fresh-baked pastry. Not at all a whisky for beginners, yet certainly one to savor by those seeking a better understanding of smoky scotch. $250
Copper & Kings A Song for You brandy
American brandy is ready for its closeup. And Copper & Kings is hitting its mark, centerstage. The Louisville-based distillery uses a blend of eaux-de-vie up to 18 years in age to arrive at this complex sipper with hints of dried figs, blackberries, and cinnamon spice. It is poised to stand toe-to-toe against your favorite cognacs—and for a fraction of the price. $35
Iichiko Saiten shochu
Shochu is a traditional Japanese sipping spirit crafted at a low proof to complement food. With Saiten, Iichiko has upped the alcohol by volume to 43%, steering it toward the cocktail crowd. Distilled from barley, the liquid exudes savory tones of green tea and root vegetable. A slight salinity in the finish anchors its relevance against sweeter modifiers in a mix. Use it as a stand-in for gin or vodka to up the umami appeal of your next martini. $30
La Boîte American amaro
Marketed as a food-friendly amaro, this 50-proof aperitif dials down the bitterness in favor of citrus and herbal accessibility. Layered within a red-grape base is a maceration of more than a dozen botanicals, sourced in a collaboration with the famed New York spice shop that gives the bottle its name. Star anise, orange rind, and green cardamom lead the charge in a spirit that sips best with soda on the rocks and sits sensationally well against a charcuterie board. $35
Maker’s Mark RC6 bourbon
In September the legendary Kentucky brand launched its first limited-edition release: a bourbon finished with oak staves that had been seasoned and toasted before being inserted into the barrel. Although the staves don’t sit with the already 6-year-old liquid for longer than a few months, it’s enough time to impart characteristics of butterscotch, cinnamon, and candied fruit. In other words, an amplification of everything there is to love about traditional Maker’s—it’s like whiskey on performance-enhancing drugs. $60
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.